Titles

Whistler's original title has not been identified. Only one title is known:

• ‘The White House' (1910, New York). 1
• ‘The White House' (1980, YMSM). 2

Description

The White House, Freer Gallery of Art

A beach scene in horizontal format. In the foreground is a broad beach with a breakwater at left. A group of houses, including a white-washed cottage at right, is seen beyond the beach. The scattered clouds are touched with sunlight. A small sailing ship is seen in the sea beyond the breakwaters, and the masts of more ships to left of the buildings.

Site

St Ives, Cornwall.

The White House, Freer Gallery of Art

Note in Blue and Opal: The Sun Cloud, Freer Gallery of Art

The scene appears closely related to Note in Blue and Opal: The Sun Cloud [YMSM 271], but the sky is brighter and more sunny. It is possible that the titles were mixed up.